Can Ginebra 5 retain its title sans Brownlee?
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
WE, avid basketball buffs, watched on tv how our best national basketball quintet, “Gilas Pilipinas” under the mentorship of Chot Reyes was humiliated during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Championship 2023 winning only once out of their five skirmishes. Yes, despite having Filipino-American NBA player the Utah Jazz stalwart Jordan Clarkson, who replaced Filipino naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
Before the start of this year world championship that PH hosted, the world governing basketball body FIBA ranked the Philippines as the 40th best in the world, but unfortunately it was even routed by FIBA’s world 62nd ranked South Sudan, 87-68. Our lone victory was against Asian champion China, 96-75, and our triumph against China was not a fluke as we defeated them anew during the last concluded Asian Games held in their own turf, Hangzhou, China, 77-76, with Brownlee at the helm, scoring 33 points.
The victory catapulted them to face Jordan in the gold medal battle which saw Gilas Pilipinas eventually wining the elusive gold, 70-60, our first after 61 years of drought. Remember, that before this Asian Games, the Philippines best effort was a silver medal in 1990 and a couple of bronzes in 1986 and 1998. But this time a very different story happened and our Gilas quintet was under the tutelage this time by veteran Ginebra coach Tim Cone replacing the flamboyant Reyes.
But “expect the unexpected” as the saying goes because four days after the Gilas Pilipinas defeated their tormentor Jordan, a shocking news suddenly emerged from the officials of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) who governed the quadrennial meet Asian Games. It reported that Brownlee tested positive of prohibited enhancing drug named Carboxy – THC. Fortunately, the report added that despite Brownlee’s alleged doping issue, the Philippines gold medal victory will still remain at Filipinos’ hands. Report also said that the fate of Brownlee’s career is in the hands of OCA and FIBA, and the stint of Brownlee in Ginebra team in the coming PBA games, the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this coming February is likewise under jeopardy.
Let me clarify that although the ingredient Carboxy – THC is not prohibited in U.S league NBA, it is prohibited in FIBA and PBA tilts. A decision by FIBA will soon be made not far from now as to the length of Brownlee’s suspension. It could be months, one year or harshly two years. And the worst scenario according to the rules, Brownlee cannot even join the training with his Ginebra teammates until he finished his suspension. The Commissioner Cup conference uncorks on November 5 and the defending champion is Brownlee’s team Ginebra.
Without a doubt, his team needs him so much to boost the squad morally, mentally and physically. Brownlee is appealing his case but his chance to play early with his team is dim. He was euphoric after the Asiad, but he’s now in the state of dejection. And the question of many Ginebra fans is: Can the Ginebra five retain their title sans Brownlee? Your answer is the same like mine. Wait and see na lang tayo, Ginebra fans, like me.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “But when you heard of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. LUKE 21: 9-10
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